"Parents based in the northern part of London seeks an extraordinary and qualified educator to assist their smallest child on his first steps to turning into an British gentleman."
When reading this advertisement, you might readily miss the term "initial stages" as just figurative language.
However, it may be the most significant part of this unusual employment listing, as it aims to find a teacher for a one-year-old.
Hundreds of submissions have now been submitted since the unidentified family posted their search for the £180k-a-year tutor, who must be "an exceptional individual".
During the past few weeks, the listing has received attention across the press, with several questioning why?
Forward-Thinking Method
Adam Caller, CEO and founder of Tutors International, which is assisting the family in their hunt, said that in spite of initial scepticism, he viewed the concept "far sighted", and "progressive".
When he consulted the family, he mentioned they understood the unusual aspect of their request, and how early in age their son is.
But, they clarified that they "preferred not to postpone any longer" to get a tutor, as they had held off until their firstborn was five, and by that point "cultural bias had already set in".
What exactly did the family mean by "cultural bias"?
It's "comprehensive", he responded. "The way you eat, the manner you speak".
He stated the older sibling had picked up "very nuanced, body language" from the family, and had taken on their cultural habits. The family explained to him they hoped to prevent the same situation to happen again with their new baby.
The plan: To engage a UK tutor, who needs to speak with standard English accent, to influence the baby right from the beginning.
Osmotic Learning
"A great deal of the learning at the start here is somewhat acquired indirectly," explained Adam.
It's via this subtle influence that the family are expecting the child will acquire the British traits they aim to impart.
The consultant noted the tutor needed to be somebody who attended "prestigious academies – the same kinds of schools as the family plan to send their son to".
"The tutor simply needs to be the right kind of person, they'll be doing things they aren't even aware they're doing, simply by nature," he commented.
Cost Not Relevant
The family informed the expert the chosen tutor should ideally also have understanding of or passion in horse riding, winter sports, the arts and instrumental training so as to influence the child in a wide range of passions.
More than that though, he said the family desired the tutor to sign up the child on a range of classes so the child would be "equestrian training and starting an musical instrument by the time they are about three years old".
In the family's view, assisting their son grow into a "English gentleman" will bring about success and open doors.
"For all the advantages and disadvantages of that, because it's definitely a class statement," he adds.
Yet, in spite of all this instruction in "Britishness", might the child pick up alleged cultural bias from the international family he is raised by regardless?
"Yes", replied he. "The parents understand this might not succeed, but they've just taken the perspective of, 'why not attempt it and let's go as soon as we can', because the price of it is not relevant," he explained.
Impractical
A number of in the education sector who express these concerns.
An education leader, head and founder of a tutoring service, who supplies private tutors, stated that "the process of adopting dual cultures, or in fact, becoming oneself, is something that must be lived into, not designed."
Peter noted that he had moved from Asia to the UK at the period of 7 years old, and had been raised knowing and living both cultures. He went on to be educated at Cambridge University.
"The concept that an individual can function as a representation of Britishness, someone who can in some way transplant the characteristics of a English gentleman to a 12-month-old child, appears optimistic and unfeasible," he commented.
"Based on my background, having a distinctly English tutor from babyhood will will not necessarily create the outcome they desire.
"I did not have that kind of mentor, and however I have been fortunate enough to live several of the opportunities they aspire for their son."
He continued: "The reality is, cultural identity should not be forced from the outside; it must be selected, and it must be internally driven."
Purchasing UK Culture
Of course, UK identity is something the CEO believes can be instructed – and sold.
"I believe the situation that the global community regards us in this light is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
